Wondering whether it is worth looking at local SEO as part of your broader optimisation strategy? Local search has become a major trend in recent years. As geolocation apps continue to evolve, search trends also change. According to a 2016 WordStream study, 72% of consumers that conducted a local search visited a store within five miles. A study done by Go-Globe meanwhile notes that 50% of consumers who do a local search on a smartphone visit a store within a day, and 34% of consumers who searched on a computer or tablet also shop within a day.
While local SEO is very effective for a number of businesses, it doesn’t mean that every business will benefit. Local businesses that rely on a small customer base that is native to their specific areas will see far more value in this approach compared to businesses that have a wider global presence.
Should You Invest in Local SEO?
Some of the businesses that will see the most benefit from local SEO include the following:
- Medical and healthcare services. From doctors to yoga studios, gyms, spas and even pet services, almost all businesses with this sector rely on some of local search.
- Legal services. On a similar note, lawyers, legal aids and similar services are also found in local searches.
- Restaurants and bars. This is a bit of an obvious one – people typically search for bars and restaurants closest to them when travelling and in their hometowns as well.
- Plumbers and electricians. This also applies to all other repair, maintenance and installation services, from gardeners to general handymen.
- Real estate. It goes without saying that real estate – both rentals and sales – rely heavily on local search. You can visit website for more details.
- Retail outlets. This is mostly limited to corner shops, regional store branches and similar retail outlets.
The trick to succeeding with this SEO strategy is a solid understanding not only of your audience, but also how your audience finds you. Not too long ago, typical local search keywords would include city and suburb names, while today, people use geolocation and similar tools to simply search for ‘restaurants near me’.
Due to the very nature of local search engine optimisation being highly targeted, this approach works best for traditional brick and mortar businesses that have a strong presence online. Being a Google listed business is important for rankings, while customer reviews, a solid social media presence, and listings in trusted directories also work towards improve your local reach.
The most effective way to get the most from your local search efforts is to work with an experienced digital marketing team who can assist in all areas of optimisation. Leave a reply below or send us a message to find out more about how to get started with local SEO.
